Zambia's government has declared a state of emergency due to the exceptional drought. We were there ourselves from March to April and were able to see for ourselves.
December to March is the rainy season.
However, it has hardly rained at all. The east of the country has been hit hard. Many arable areas have dried out, the soil is hard and difficult to cultivate with a hoe. The lack of water is not only threatening the small farmers in the villages. Residents in the cities are also noticing this: the electricity is cut off for around eight hours a day. The majority of electricity in Zambia is generated using hydropower.
The drought is making food scarcer. As a result, food prices are rising and this is fuelling inflation. Fewer and fewer people are able to buy food on the market. They are dependent on growing their own.
During a visit to the small village of Chideza, we saw with our own eyes what this drought means and also listened to the people: ‘This time, people are likely to die,’ said the nurse. We have therefore launched an irrigation project in Chideza.
